Hawk attack!! Slow bird saved the day
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Cheryl S
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:26 pm
- Location: OK/Sperry/Skiatook area
- Martin Colony History: 2013 - 1 ASY pair
2014 - 18 pair
2015 - 45 pair
2016 - 82 pair
I was sitting on the porch last evening as the martins were coming in for the day. New birds have been arriving almost daily, and lots of noise and squabbling was going on. A Cooper's hawk attacked seemingly out of nowhere. I have decoys on metal strapping on the top ring of the rack he attacked. He bent the strap and decoy completely backward. I lowered the rack and repositioned it. There were several deep gouges in it. This certainly enforces my belief that decoys on the housing saves lives.
PMCA member
98 cavities offered for 2016 -- 70 are gourds and 28 are in houses.
98 cavities offered for 2016 -- 70 are gourds and 28 are in houses.
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rickchilli
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 10:13 am
- Location: MO/Chillicothe
- Martin Colony History: I mailed in hard copy showing several years history since restarted martin colony in 2008.
I read in the purple martin news, a long time ago, where a guy took a martin decoy and tied a rope to it because of hawk attacks. he said the hawk got a rude awakening when he got to the end of his rope and got yanked to the ground. he said hawk didn't bother his martins any more.
rick